The Agro Chem Federation of India (ACFI) has strongly objected to what it calls “misleading and unsubstantiated” allegations against agrochemical products and the agricultural sector in the upcoming film The India Story: Slow Poison in Progress.
The federation has warned that the narrative risks stigmatising Indian farmers and undermining the country’s food safety framework.
In a strongly worded letter to Shri Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), ACFI urged a thorough examination of the film’s claims and sought corrective measures before its scheduled public release on 24 July 2026.
Kalyan Goswami, Director General, ACFI, said the film’s trailer portrays India’s agricultural and food systems in an alarmist manner and draws unsupported conclusions linking modern farming practices with public health concerns.
“The trailer of the upcoming movie The India Story: Slow Poison in Progress, presents India's agricultural and food systems in an alarmist, sensational manner and appears to draw direct causal links between modern agricultural practices and a range of public health and social issues, without providing any apparent scientific substantiation. It is appalling to see that the film’s narrative is not only scientifically unfounded but damages India's agricultural reputation and threatens our farmers’ livelihoods and national food security.”
ACFI, which represents nearly 85% of India’s agrochemical sector, has demanded that any content it considers misleading, exaggerated, unverified, or unsupported be addressed before the film receives certification and reaches audiences.
Responding to claims featured prominently in the trailer, the association said, “These claims are presented as statements of fact, yet no source, methodology, geographical context, or scientific basis is disclosed,” adding, “Available evidence from authoritative national and international institutions presents a noticeably different picture.”
The association cited data from national and international institutions to challenge what it described as inaccurate portrayals of pesticide use and food safety. It pointed out that India’s annual pesticide consumption, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), is approximately 40,094 metric tonnes.
'These products are applied in agricultural fields in accordance with approved agronomic practices; this does not imply that the population is 'consuming 50000+ metric tons of pesticides'. Further, government-supported studies conducted under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) indicate that over 96.5% of tested agricultural commodities comply with prescribed pesticide residue limits and are considered safe for our consumption.”
ACFI also rejected what it described as an unsupported attempt to link agricultural produce directly with cancer incidence.
“The trailer's apparent attempt to directly associate cancer incidence with agricultural produce is not supported by the WHO's established assessment of major cancer risk factors.”
The association further criticised the presentation of mortality figures in the trailer, stating that isolated numbers without context could create a distorted understanding of pesticide-related deaths.
“The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in its Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2024 report, recorded 7,821 cases were attributed to accidental intake of insecticides or pesticides.”
Expressing concern over what it called an exaggerated connection between agrochemicals and complex public health issues, ACFI said the selective use of figures could fuel unnecessary fear among consumers and damage confidence in India’s food systems.
The association also raised concerns over the film’s portrayal of Indian agriculture as unsafe, arguing that describing Indian food as “slow poison” unfairly harms farmers and could impact the country’s global agricultural standing.
“Such assertions may be cited by foreign regulators, competing exporters, advocacy groups, or trade interests to question the safety of Indian agricultural produce and potentially impact India's agricultural exports.”
ACFI also challenged what it described as a false impression that India lacks adequate food safety regulations or government oversight. It highlighted the role of multiple regulatory institutions responsible for safeguarding food standards while supporting a farming sector that feeds more than 1.4 billion people.
"By falsely implying that our regulatory institutions are either indifferent or entirely incapable of managing food safety, the film relies on inaccurate, unsubstantiated data to deliver a highly damaging message.”
Calling for responsible use of creative freedom, ACFI said content dealing with public health, food security, farmer livelihoods, and national interests must be presented with accuracy and scientific accountability.
The association warned that what it termed an “unwarranted portrayal” could cause long-term harm to India’s reputation, the credibility of its regulatory institutions, and the economic strength of the country’s agricultural sector.
